Every family has that one person who gives things their own name. In Melda’s house, the top-tier multi-gig internet plan from HCTC is known as the “NASA package.” And in true Melda fashion, she would like everyone to know she is not paying for rocket-launch internet just to stream a detective show and check her email. That being said, she does want faster internet. Maybe she can do something to help.
HCTC Note: We love Melda and our “NASA package” that she refers to is our 8Gbps symmetrical fiber plan with Wifi 7. This is without a doubt the best in the Hill Country, if not the best in Texas. If she is truly just watching a show and checking her email, none of us here would ever recommend that plan to her. That being said, there are customers that remain on some very old plans that might struggle with a show and some email. In that case, it is critical for these customers to upgrade to a current plan and/or current internet delivery system in which they may enjoy the HCTC internet service without issues.
The good news is this: before upgrading your internet plan, there are several things you can do inside your home to improve your speeds, strengthen your Wi-Fi signal, and make your connection feel a whole lot faster. Melda may be an aging adult, but she is still perfectly capable of handling her own tech troubles. If that sounds like you too, here are some smart, simple things to try.
1. Move the router out of hiding
A lot of routers end up tucked away in a cabinet, behind a TV, or shoved in a corner where the signal has to fight its way through walls, furniture, and whatever else is in the way.
If your Wi-Fi seems slow in parts of the house, start by checking where your router lives. This may be an easy way to make the internet faster.
A better spot is:
- out in the open
- closer to the center of the home
- off the floor
- away from large metal objects or thick walls
Melda’s router does not need to sit in a decorative basket next to the phone book. It needs room to breathe and broadcast.
2. Restart your router
It is not glamorous advice, but it works more often than people expect.
Unplug your router, wait about 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This can clear out temporary glitches and improve performance, especially if it has been running nonstop for a long time.
Melda calls this “letting the router collect itself.” HCTC Note: HCTC support can restart most equipment remotely if you would like them to. Our direct line to support is 888.638.4282 or you may call us directly at 830.367.5333.
3. Keep the router away from interference
Wi-Fi signals can be interrupted by everyday household items. Microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, Bluetooth-heavy areas, and even some smart home devices can create interference.
If your router is sitting next to electronics or appliances, give it some space.
This is especially helpful if your connection gets worse at certain times of day or seems fine in one room and terrible in the next.
4. Check how many devices are using the internet
Sometimes the internet is not truly slow. Sometimes it is just busy.
If someone in the house is streaming in 4K, another person is gaming, a tablet is downloading updates, and three security cameras are uploading footage, your connection is doing a lot of work at once.
Try:
- pausing large downloads
- limiting the number of devices streaming at the same time
- disconnecting devices you are not really using
- checking whether old phones, tablets, or smart gadgets are still connected
Melda was once certain her internet was “acting up,” only to discover a smart TV in the guest room was quietly updating itself for half an hour. HCTC Note: if you have a large number of devices, faster internet will certainly help.
5. Use the right Wi-Fi network if you have two
Many routers offer both a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi band.
Here is the simple version:
- 2.4 GHz reaches farther but is usually slower
- 5 GHz is faster but does not travel as far
If you are near the router and want the best speed, connect to the 5 GHz network if it is available. If you are farther away, the 2.4 GHz option may be more reliable.
Melda does not need to memorize radio theory. She just needs to know that one network may work better in the kitchen and another may work better in the back bedroom. HCTC Note: The current models of equipment we offer will auto-negotiate these frequencies so you don’t have to.
6. Update your devices
Sometimes the slowdown is not coming from your internet service at all. It may be your phone, laptop, tablet, or smart TV.
Older devices can struggle with speed, especially if they need software updates or have not been restarted in a while.
A few good habits:
- install device updates
- close extra apps and browser tabs
- restart devices occasionally
- clear out old clutter if a device is running poorly
If one device is slow but everything else works fine, the problem may be that device, not your internet.
7. Run a speed test in different rooms
A speed test can help you figure out whether the problem is your internet service or just your Wi-Fi coverage inside the house.
Test your speed:
- near the router
- in the room where things feel slow
- at different times of day
If the speed is strong near the router but weak across the house, that points to an in-home Wi-Fi issue.
That is an important distinction. Melda does not want to pay for spaceship internet when the real culprit is the router being trapped behind a ceramic rooster and two cookbooks. HCTC Note: The easiest way to conduct a speed test is by running it from the HCTC Command IQ app or going here.
8. Use a wired connection when it matters most
If you have a desktop computer, gaming console, or streaming device in one spot, plugging it directly into the router with an Ethernet cable can make a big difference. A wired connection is often faster and more stable than Wi-Fi.
It is not always practical for every device, but for the ones you use most, it can be a simple fix. HCTC Note: We have technicians that can pull Ethernet cable for you. Call our office for the cost.
9. Know when the issue is coverage, not speed
This is the part people often miss: sometimes buying more speed does not solve weak Wi-Fi in certain rooms.
If your connection works well close to the router but poorly farther away, the issue may be signal reach inside the house. In that case, better router placement and reducing interference can help first. HCTC Note: We have mesh units which can increase the signal coverage of your home.
10. Give the simple fixes a chance before upgrading
There is nothing wrong with wanting faster internet. But before jumping to a higher-priced plan, it makes sense to try the no-cost fixes first.
A few small changes inside the home can make everyday internet use feel much better:
- stronger signal in the rooms you use most
- fewer interruptions while streaming
- better video calls
- faster browsing on the devices you actually care about
That is usually enough for Melda, who would like her internet to work properly without funding a mission to Mars.
Final thoughts from Melda
Melda is not against faster internet. She just believes in trying the practical things first.
If you find that you do need professional help with any of these issues, please call us first. HCTC has technicians who can pull Ethernet cable, mesh devices that can cover weak signal areas, and of course faster speeds. Nothing here is meant to dissuade you from upgrading your HCTC internet service and many of us, who work here, certainly subscribe to the fastest available. Our goal is always to be honest and transparent and protect the trust that our customers have in us. We know that most of us could make improvements to our internet by following a few rules. When in doubt, call us. We are always here to help.